Freaked out

[The1calledTKE]

Originally posted by librasoul22


Okay, seriously, this is HORRIBLE advice. If the man has a gun, he is NOT thinking about a murder charge if his finger slips on the trigger.

I guess my first degree (criminal justice) has led me wrong...

Good thing I get my History degree in a couple weeks!

[librasoul22]

Originally posted by zntke711


I guess my first degree (criminal justice) has led me wrong...

Good thing I get my History degree in a couple weeks!

Actually I am a Crim major too.

But my advice comes more from a personal perspective. I'm just saying if the man has a gun and she tries to fight him there is always a chance that he will panic and shoot.

Valkyrie, I agree with what you said (what else is new? ):

I would give up my handbag...but I would try to run and/or fight if he tried to get me into a car.

[AXOLiz]

Originally posted by Dionysus
If he chokes ya, pinch that flabby spot in his arm, it hurts like h*ll! That's like the only thing I remember from self-defence class. Yeah it would be a good idea to take one.

There's also more...um...sensitive spots on the male body to go for. Punch, grab, whatever.... Also, slamming your foot down on the top of an attacker's foot can be very painful, especially if you have heels on. I should remember more, and if anything comes to me, I'll post it. I would highly recommend taking self defense yourself though - it's just a good idea period, and it can be a great workout (and stress relief) depending on the type you take. In the one I took, we got to throw big, heavy guys across the room. It was very empowering, let me tell you.

It's also good not to walk around looking flustered and scared. Attackers will go for someone who looks nervous and weak (easy target..) before they'll go for someone who is obviously very aware of what's going on around them and looks like they'd put up a fight if challenged.

[James]

Women should definitely take a self defense course. It will give you a false self confidence that might actually work for you.

Sometimes your attitude will keep you from being victimized even if you don't have the ability to back it up.

Don't get too confident in your self defense course. Thee is abig difference between being taught some moves and then executing those moves in a violent confrontation.

I have seen multi year martial artists freeze when confronted with a violent situation let alone a girl that has had an abreviated feel good self defense class.

If someone asks you for your money, give it to them. If they want to take you somwhere, fight beserk style.

For those of you with pepper spray etc, how many canisters have you gone through in practice?

In order for the spray to be very effective for you, you would have to shoot it at least dozens of times at various targets.

ITs naive to assume that you are going to burst out like a marksman when you may have only squirted the thing a couple times before.

Also, get one of those screaming noise things. They can be a good deterrant also.

[lifesaver]

Originally posted by librasoul22
Resist? No. Give up whatever you have. Just be extra cautious when you are getting out of your car. DO NOT CARRY MACE OR PEPPER SPRAY!!! IT CAN BE USED AGAINST YOU!!! Try not to carry much cash in your wallet. Carry personal ID's in innermost pockets and minimal cash in wallets/purses. That way if they steal your purse they can't steal your ID's credit cards. Also, in a robbery the person is usually in a hurry and will not make you empty ALL of your pockets. Try putting stuff in your socks too, if you wear them.

I don't even carry a purse because robbery was a very common occurance where I grew up. Kinda sucks...

I agree and disagree.

If they want your stuff, give it to them, a purse isnt worth your life...

THAT HAVING BEEN SAID......

If soemone takes your stuff thern tries to get you into a vehicle, resist like hell. If they get you outta public spot, your as good as gone. Seriously.. Think about it. Soemone pulls a gun on you in a parkign lot, run like hell, scream, whatever. Odds are they wont shoot someone with 50 million witnesses around. Secondly, and this sounds morbid, but theres a pretty good chance you could survive a gunshot. Especially if you are running away, past cars in a lot, etc. Its way preferable to you being taken into the woods and raped and violated 50 ways then murdered.

I say this because one of my brothers, well call John, was a big SOB, played football, etc. Anyway, he was cashing his paycheck at his bank (one of those inside a grocery store) and after he did, a guy walks up to him lifts his shirt enough to show John the but of a gun and tells him to get in the truck. The abductor drove. As soon as they were on the highway, John realizes another car was following. THey pulled off the road, made him get out, the other car pulls up behind, 4 other guys get out. THey walk him into the woods. He thought he was dead for sure. Apparently they hit him over the head with a log, because they knocked him out. He came too a while later, and his shoes were gone and so was his vheicle (which they later found intact some distance away). The police believed they thought John was someone else who must hav eowed a debt to some shady peeps. Hes very lucky to be alive.

So as for me, I'll never get in a car like that. I'll give up my wallet or even the car, but will run like a MF to get away.

[Hootie]

My purse isn't worth my life ~ that I agree. But I've never really thought about what I'd do if someone were to hold me at gunpoint. Piss my pants? Scream? Run? Resist? I dunno what the appropriet measures are (I sorta do now). I'm not worried about this individual abducting me because my complex is so small that people are coming and going and my landlord is home all day and often walks the grounds. I guess I shouldn't be worried about getting robbed either, but it was just something my mom wanted me to know about~especially since it's been happening to females who live in nicer complexes like mine.
So far they've only caught one guy responsible for the robberies (an 18 year old male). I haven't heard anything else on if they have leads about the other.
Thanks for the advice guys and gals. I may see if my sister and mom want to join me at a defense class.

[AGDLynn]

Hey, Hootie! Since you live in Omaha, aren't there military bases there? See if you can borrow a couple of MPs, lol!

[pinkyphimu]

ok, this is just something i have been told.....never yell "help" (or "rape" for that matter) most people are not willing to get in the middle of things. people are more likely to respond to "fire!"
yell like hell!!! keep on yelling....these people don't like attention!

if they are just stealing handbags and wallets, GIVE IT UP!!!! limit the cash and credit cards that you carry. keep important info (like, ssi card at home).

have your keys in your hand (not attached to your wallet) before you get out of your car (with your house key ready to go). put the keys in between your fingers while you are walking (so they stick out). you can poke someone in the eyes if they are trying to push you into a car. if you have the option, park as close your house as possible.

i have also heard that carrying things, such as an umbrella, make you less of a target because they are potential weapons. be aware of carrying too many things, tho bc then you look like a victim. if you are coming home from work in the dark (and who doesn't now that it gets dark at 4 PM), go directly inside. don't spend lots of time fumbling around trying to get your mail, etc., and go back out after you have gotten settled.

walk with confidence, like you have taken multiple self defense classes, even tho you haven't. keep your head up, don't make eyecontact with people passing by, never act lost. survey your environment constantly and be aware of what is happening behind you.

another tip i was given was to talk on a cell phone, but don't appear distracted or in a deep conversation. the idea was that an attacker is less likely to "pick" you because someone will know you need help (kind of like walking with a friend, but different)

i also live alone. when i come home late at night, i always check around the outside of my building to see if there are people around. if there are (and i don't know them) i won't get out of my car....or even turn it off. keep your porch light on.

don't be afraid to cross a street or go into a shop if someone seems to be following you or if you have to walk past a dark alley, etc.

and of course, my mom's favorite piece of advice......
listen to your inner voice!!! if something in the pit of your stomach makes you feel funny or like you are in danger, then listen!!!

[OUlioness01]

i went ot a self defense seminar at school this past year, and what i learned is to keep inching back. if the attaacker keeps on advancing then give up your purse. if he keeps on moving forward scream, and then make an L with your hand and slam it into the throat right below the chin. this will cut off his air supply. you can also get a long keychain flashlight thingy that works just as well as your hand. also, stay in well lit/populated areas when at all possible and if the attacker has a knife to grab the blade because it is much better to cut your hand than to lose your life, and if the attacker has a gun grab the barrell (?)...you know the part that the bullet comes out of and twist. the attacker should lose his grip on the gun. sorry about using the male pronoun guys,

[Tom Earp]

FIRST, CARRY A 357 MAG OR A 40 GLOCK! Blow their damn heads off!

Or, if they come up behind you, stomp on top of foot, grab the elbow with the hand over your mouth and twist! This puts the arm behind them.

If comes at you frontal and grabs you, put the palm of your hand into the nose with force! This will drive the nose into the brain and kill him.

Kick him in the balls, when he bends over, knee into the face, or nose, da same reaction as the above!

If this seems harsh, hope it dont happen to you!

[Kevin]

Originally posted by Tom Earp
FIRST, CARRY A 357 MAG OR A 40 GLOCK! Blow their damn heads off!

Tom the ex-cop in you is coming through loud and clear!

[justamom]

Tom-FIRST, CARRY A 357 MAG OR A 40 GLOCK! Blow their damn heads off!
...but ASK them if they intend to KILL you first! lol

The BEST thing you can do is always, ALWAYS be aware. Don't take a single chance if possible. Otherwise everything listed is "good advice". It just depends on the situation. I was approached in the WalMart parking lot a couple of years back by a boy on bike. I KNOW my safety was compromised. He kept wanting to help me load or carry stuff-circling on his bike and asking again. I flat out asked him if he was hungry and needed something to eat. I told him I NEVER carry cash, but had a couple of dollars so he could get some food.

I know, I know, I probably reinforced his ability to intimidate, but after "reading" the situation, it seemed like the best course of action. I ALWAYS felt like a "strong" appearing person. Years of living in Houston taught me that. I felt very vulnerable knowing some teenager on a bike thought I looked like an easy target.